Nasal discharge in my dog
Your dog, just like you, can get a runny nose. However, dogs do not experience harmless colds. If your dog has excessive nasal discharge but is otherwise active and has a normal appetite, you can wait and see how it goes. Keep a close eye on your dog and regularly check their body temperature. If your dog develops a fever or becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian. It is also important to contact the vet if the nasal discharge is pus-filled or contains blood.
Normal nasal discharge in a dog is clear and colorless. If a dog occasionally has nasal discharge, for example when excited, there is no cause for concern.
If the nasal discharge is very watery or thicker (or even mucous-like) than usual, it is important to monitor your dog closely. Also, if the discharge becomes cloudy, yellowish, or green, pay close attention to your dog.
- If a dog suffers from a (food) allergy, it may have excessive nasal discharge. This is usually clear, watery discharge that does not smell. This nasal discharge is often accompanied by sneezing, watery and/or red eyes, and a runny nose (similar to people with hay fever). Other symptoms that may indicate a (food) allergy include itching, skin rash, recurring ear infections, and hair loss or bald spots.
- A foreign object stuck in the nose can also cause nasal discharge. This could be grass, a small stone, or an insect. Usually, the discharge comes from one nostril, not both. If an object is stuck in one of your dog's nostrils, your dog may also have a nosebleed or sneeze frequently. Your dog might scratch or rub its nose with its paws.
In some cases, you can remove the object blocking the nostril yourself, such as a blade of grass or an insect. Try to carefully remove the object with tweezers. The inside of the nose is very sensitive and can be easily damaged, so be very careful. If you cannot see or remove the object yourself, it is important to contact your veterinarian. - If the nasal discharge is accompanied by pus, it usually indicates an infection; this can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Besides pus-filled discharge, a dog may also have foul-smelling nasal discharge, a nosebleed, and/or coughing.
- Another cause of nasal discharge with pus is a polyp or tumor in the nose. In this case, the discharge often contains blood or mucus. Your dog may also breathe noisily because the polyp or tumor obstructs the nasal passage. In some cases, you may even see a lump on the outside of the nose.
A nosebleed in dogs
A hard blow to the nose, an infection, a growth or tumor in the nose, or a blood clotting disorder can cause nosebleeds. If your dog suddenly has a one-time nosebleed, you usually don’t need to worry; a nosebleed is of course very unpleasant, so try to keep your dog calm. You can try to stop the bleeding by holding something cold against your dog’s nose. Do not try to hold the nose shut, as dogs always breathe through their nose. If your dog frequently has nosebleeds or the bleeding does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
